The ECHO has taken a look at what sets the Baltic Triangle apart from other areas after it was named 'one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Britain' in a new list.
The Telegraph placed Liverpool's very own Baltic Triangle at number six in their ranking of Britain's coolest neighbourhoods, behind the likes of Walthamstow in London and Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
The district is a perfect example of Liverpool's maritime history, with its red brick buildings now home to creative and digital businesses, cafes, restaurants and trendy bars.
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The ECHO has taken a look at why the Baltic Triangle has become such a firm favourite in Liverpool, with Scousers and tourists alike.
The Food
The Baltic Market is a firm favourite with many people across the city, offering a variety of dishes from across the globe from its street food stalls. The traders are all independent businesses, including NOSO, Hafla Hafla and the Midnight Delivery to name a few.
If you're looking for something a bit more high-end, there's Lu Ban, which offers a fine dining twist on Chinese cuisine. The stylish space adorned with cherry blossom trees is tucked away in a quiet courtyard. Newcomer Manifest, located on Watkinson Street, has already been handed two AA rosettes and was given a mention in the Michelin Guide. Owner Paul Durand, who was behind Little Shoe on Bold Street, called the venue "uniquely Scouse".
The Baltic's gastronomic prowess is also getting a reputation outside of the city. Award-winning leisure operator BOXPARK is set to open its first site outside of London there in late 2023.
The Nightlife
From trendy bars to breweries and huge event spaces, the Baltic has it all. You can watch the football in Camp and Furnace or see how beer is brewed at Love Lane.
There's also places with a twist; in ArCains you can play old schools arcade games while sipping on a cocktail, or have a round of mini golf surround by bespoke art at Ghetto Golf.
The Independents
It's not just food and drink that sets the Baltic Triangle apart from other areas. The hub is known for its independent traders and bric-a-brac markets, such as Red Brick Vintage. There's also quirky specialist stores such as Ryde, where you can grab a coffee while you get your bike repaired.
It's not all about spending money either; a quick stroll around the streets near Cains Brewery Village will bring you face to face with some of the best street art in the city.
The Community Spirit
The Baltic Triangle is nestled between the city centre and Dingle, ranked by ECHO readers as one of the best places to live on Merseyside. The terraced streets were immortalised in Carla Lane's 1980s sitcom Bread and the community spirit is second to none to this day.
One reader hailed the area's historic buildings, "great people" and "real neighbours who look after each other".
The Future
The Baltic's roots are industrial, with creative companies and edgy restaurateurs drawing on its historic beauty to revamp the area. However, there's not a lack of new developments in the area either.
Legacie Developments is just one company capitalising on the 'Baltic boom'. Its Parliament Square scheme has brought hundreds of apartments and commercial space to the area, as well as a rooftop spa for residents. Baltic Yard by Cortland also has brand new apartments available for renters, while hotels are also popping up in the area to serve the city's visitor economy.
While the district is relatively easily accessible on foot from the city centre, a new railway station could connect commuters, residents and tourist alike. The proposals would breathe new life into a historic site; St James Station opened in 1874 and closed in 1917 as a cost-cutting measure during the First World War but never re-opened.
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